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A Southgate woman who is passionate about providing community service is the new executive director of the Fish & Loaves Community Food Pantry in Taylor. Stephanie McNees, who has deep roots in the Downriver area, was appointed to guide Michigan’s largest client-choice pantry, which provides more than 1.6 million pounds of food annually to people in Southgate and six other communities in the region. The appointment by the Fish & Loaves Board of Directors was effective March 28. The non-secular, faith-based pantry is located at 25670 Northline Road. McNees is a nonprofit professional with experience in economic
development and senior citizen services. She has years of community service ranging from addressing food insecurity issues as a field team leader in AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps in Denver to serving as director of the City of Southgate Downtown Development Authority to her most recent position as supervisor of senior services in Northville Township. A graduate of Michigan State University, McNees grew up in Southgate, was an honor roll student and played three high school sports at Southgate Anderson. For years, she has coached volleyball in the community and is a member of both the Rotary Club of Southgate and the board of directors of the Downriver Family YMCA, also in Southgate. “This new opportunity with Fish &
Loaves allows me to directly give back and connect with my community,” McNees said. “Downriver is a wonderful area that I know well. I grew up McNees in Southgate and my family and friends are here. I am excited to be back to lead Fish & Loaves and help the organization continue this important service.” McNees said she was drawn to the client-choice element of Fish & Loaves, which serves families in need of either emergency or long-term food assistance. “Client choice offers people in need a dignified way to get help,” McNees said. “When people can choose for themselves, as anyone would SEE SERVING, PAGE 3
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Page 2 • April 13 — May 12, 2022 • SOUTHGATE STAR
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SOUTHGATE STAR • April 13 — May 12, 2022 • Page 3
SERVING
Continued from page 1 shopping at a grocery store, they can walk away feeling better about the whole experience,” Dr. Rev. Geoffrey Drutchas, president of the Fish & Loaves Board of Directors and a founder of the pantry, said McNees’ community relations experience and her knowledge of the Downriver area will be assets in meeting Fish & Loaves goal of “ensuring no one goes hungry.” “Stephanie is a gifted leader with a heart for public service and the needs of those who might otherwise be overlooked,” said Rev. Drutchas, who is pastor of St. Paul United Church of Christ in Taylor. “She also brings to Fish & Loaves a vital understanding of the Downriver communities and considerable experience building community partnerships that will serve the mission of our food pantry well.” As Southgate DDA director, McNees oversaw the city’s efforts to grow its business district through fundraising and relationship building. As senior services supervisor in Northville, she developed programming, raised money and ran events for the township’s elderly population. McNees and other Southgate Rotarians serve as volunteers at the pantry and participate in food drives. Club Treasurer Stephen Ahles said McNees has served the club well and called her a good fit at Fish & Loaves.
“Stephanie is just a dynamo,” Ahles said. “I’m in awe of what people do and it’s always good to see people find their stride. We hated to lose her as Southgate DDA director and I’m glad to see she’s back in the area. “Rotary does a lot with Fish & Loaves. Stephanie has been a great asset to Rotary. She’s a fantastic person.” Fish & Loaves serves some 3,000 households in Southgate, Allen Park, Brownstown, Dearborn Heights, Romulus, Taylor and Woodhaven, plus people throughout the region in need of emergency food. The pantry also serves hundreds from all communities at its Saturday Fresh Market. The cost to keep the pantry shelves and refrigerators stocked is about $27,000 per month. In addition to relying on community donations
Stephanie McNees: At a glance Stephanie McNees is the daughter of Southgate residents Liz and John McNees. Mom works at Anderson High School. Dad is a technician at IGT. Her sister Marissa is a journalist and radio broadcaster in the Cleveland area. Brother Craig is a civil engineer. Boyfriend Drew Kroll is a native of Riverview and an accountant at Plant Moran. Grandmother Catherine Pantoleon immigrated from Greece and has been a Southgate resident for more than 50 years. McNees’ three high school sports were volleyball, basketball and softball. In her senior year, 2011, the Titans varsity softball team went to the final four in the state tournament – the farthest in school history. McNees was a leading hitter and played center field. Some of her fondest memories are her days at AmeriCorps, which provides service opportunities and job training while giving young people a chance to learn leadership skills. “It’s a really cool organization,” she said. “I highly recommend it.”
and volunteers, Fish & Loaves seeks support through foundation grants and fundraising events, such as this summer’s Happy Soles 5K run, walk and bicycling event and the annual Par for the Course golf outing in the fall. McNees called Fish & Loaves a “well-established” organization and
said she looks forward to seeing how she can enhance it. For more details on how to get involved, contact Fish & Loaves at (734) 442-5043 or visit the website www.flcfp.org. Follow Fish & Loaves on Facebook.
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Page 4 • April 13 — May 12, 2022 • SOUTHGATE STAR
Marlie Marquez of Shelters Elementary School with family members
Grogan Elementary School kindergarten classmates Kendall Hasper, Eleanor DiDonato and Brookly Goins.
Kindergartners display artwork at Fish & Loaves food pantry
Different types of food graced the walls of the storage warehouse of the Fish & Loaves Community Food Pantry, but not the food you might think – thanks to the artistic talents of kindergartners in Southgate. The Taylor-based pantry provides food to residents of Southgate and six other communities in the region. Kindergartners in Dave Gorgon Southgate showed off their artistic talents by drawing and painting types of food and drinks using pencils, markers, crayons and water-color paint. Southgate art teacher Greg Luna, who has a long connection with the food pantry and scheduled the March 23 art show, said 38 kindergartners contributed and earned recognition for their food artwork, signed by Rev. Dr. Geoffrey Drutchas, founder and board president of Fish & Loaves. Twentynine of the young artists were present the night of the show. SEE ARTWORK, PAGE 5
Emily Merriman of Fordline Elementary School and family members Photos by Dave Gorgon
SOUTHGATE STAR • April 13 — May 12, 2022 • Page 5
FISH & LOAVES FOOD PANTRY ART SHOW (Classroom teachers’ names in parentheses)
Violet Mink of Shelters Elementary School and family members
Grogan Elementary School Lydia Dameworth (Buscemi) Eleanor DiDonato (Buscemi) Alex Ferrer (Buscemi) Brooklyn Goins (Buscemi) Kendall Hasper (Buscemi) Sebastian Reyna (Buscemi) Luke Rutkowski (Buscemi) Anna Marie Griggs (Farmer) Leah Jaime (Farmer) Nola Ressler (Farmer) Levi Rhein (Farmer) Julius Vasquez (Farmer) Lita Whittemore (Farmer) Jessa Willis (Farmer)
ARTWORK
Continued from page 1 Luna said he mentioned nutrition and Fish & Loaves while talking to students about the art fair. He scheduled a similar food art show in February 2018. “It was great to see all of the young people and their families and to be able to take a look at all of the wonderfully creative art that was being shared,” said Rev. Drutchas, who is pastor of St. Paul United Church of Christ in Taylor. “There were a hundred and some people there – a great opening, especially during a rainstorm.” Rev. Drutchas said the art show also served as a way to introduce young people and their families to the pantry, where they might consider volunteering or donating some day. Luna, who has been with the Southgate Community Schools since 1999, has provided a district-wide art show for many years at the schools or at the Southgate Veterans Memorial Library. His connection to Fish & Loaves began when friend Oswin Tovar, who worked for Humana at the time, introduced him to then-Fish & Loaves Executive Director Mary Hollens. “We discussed doing a mural about food security and healthy choices,” Luna said. “It was after I finished the mural in December of 2017 that Mary and I discussed doing a small art show with my students’ work on the Fish & Loaves premises. In February of 2018, we held the first kindergarten show with their food paintings.” The mural is sponsored by Humana. Several years after a transfer to Davidson Middle School, also in Southgate, Luna found himself back in the elementary school setting at the beginning of the current school year. He reached out to the pantry again.
Fordline Elementary School Larry Cartwright III (Mazur) Kyle Guerra (Mazur) Nuala Laliberte (Mazur) Mariel Proctor (Mazur) Able Stoutenburgh (Mazur) Itzel Zamudio (Mazur) Tytus Barnett (Plocharczyk) Ariella Chevere (Plocharczyk) Jason Graczyk (Plocharczyk) Savannah Henig (Plocharczyk) Carlos Medina (Plocharczyk) Emily Merriman (Plocharczyk)
Hazel Stininger of Shelters Elementary School and parents Eric and Sarah.
“I am grateful that they provide a place for my students’ work to be displayed,” he said. “I hope they know what a special time they are helping make for these kindergarten artists.” Fish & Loaves board member Ellen Pfafflin said the show was a success. “It was a great turnout,” she said. “We were happy to welcome them back.” Faith-based Fish & Loaves is the largest clientchoice pantry in the state. For more details on how to get involved contact Fish & Loaves at (734) 4425043 or visit the website www.flcfp.org. Follow Fish & Loaves on Facebook.
Shelters Elementary School Dardana Buzhala (Clark) Murad Elhady (Clark) Peyton Goddard (Clark) Autumn Johnson (Clark) Wyatt Kendall (Clark) Violet Mink (Clark) Jacob Alshimery (Hatfield) Ethan Canada (Hatfield) Marlie Marquez (Hatfield) Hazel Stininger (Hatfield) Penelope O’Grady (Hatfield) Jason Smith (Hatfield)
Page 6 • April 13 — May 12, 2022 • SOUTHGATE STAR
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Being an enthusiastic local retailer is still a thrill You might be of the mind that writing every month is easy for me. It is not. But I do want to share that after so many years (50) in this clothing store gig (the only job I’ve ever had), I am still intensely in love with what I do. Every aspect of it. The apparel business is different from retail operations that operate from a just Peter in time model. It is Rose often disorienting. My wife Janelle and I just came back from an abbreviated trip to Chicago for THE trade show of our industry (there are others, but nothing comes close to the scale and execution of the show that happens four times a year at the Merchandise Mart). I’ve been attending “Stylemax” for perhaps 25 years now, or something like that. It has been phenomenal from day one, and it is far better now. Truly, there is no better show for womenswear in the country. But the show took place in midMarch. Spring is not really here, yet, right? And here we are, bending our brains over the fall/holiday season, and what to consider for that timeframe. I’m not complaining, far from it. It’s one of the things I think I’m good at, reading the tea leaves, taking what I know now and projecting it forward to place orders now for something that won’t arrive until August-October. There is no way I can convey the restorative experience of being in a city of the caliber of Chicago, deciding on a future (and current)
Friendly, happy waitstaff, engaging salespeople that actually know what they’re talking about make me far happier, make me buy. I learn from that every bit as much as the merchandise. snapshot of offerings for our road forward. The process renews, puts wind in the sails, makes us look forward to the future (can’t wait for that stuff to come in!). After 50 years, I am still so dependent on that renewal, still thriving in the environment that is created by the show producers, vendors, representatives, and fellow retailers from across the nation. It happens for the men’s business as well, where I learned my trade so long ago. Without such shows, I simply don’t renew. Never recharge the batteries. It’s not that I don’t like to rest with a vacation; that renews as well, but it’s totally different. It’s not just the merchandise offered. It’s the creativity of it all. The booth designs, the stuff that each maker deployed to express their take on the fashion world for people like me that take those ideas and emulate the best of them at the retail level. I firmly believe that I am not all that unique in the way I react to visual stimuli. If my eye is drawn to a dazzling display of 50 colors of a cashmere popover, our customers will react the same way. I learn, I get ideas for our store, beyond the merchandise we select. Keeping in mind that so many of the
brands we shop could fill our stores on their own, it is how they show it, how they sell it that impacts me. I might be the only one that says this: I love salespeople that know their stuff and share it. Enthusiasm, cheer, friendliness, seriousness, true product knowledge and competence all combine (or not) to compel me to buy from them. Most people I know shun them. Me. I’m eager to let them do their thing. Their “thing” is the thing. And I will tell you that I never find that “thing” at national chain stores or restaurants. OK, not never, but rarely do I find sparks of any kind outside of the local and independent, where creativity lives, where it’s not just a job, it’s a life. Friendly, happy waitstaff, engaging salespeople that actually know what they’re talking about make me far happier, make me buy. I learn from that every bit as much as the merchandise. I am intrigued on these trips at restaurants, or just walking around. I steal ideas and emulate them or share them with folks that might affect change for the better in Wyandotte. Green bike lanes, incredible lighting displays, cool tiles, the way a concentration of well-dressed people comes across – it all adds up to recharge. The potential for
improvement or revitalization is the spirit of independent retail. It’s how I see my world. It’s not just my stores. It’s the sum total of all the stores, all the restaurants, creating an aggregate impression on visitors. Benches, flowers, Christmas decorations, fountains, Italian market lights – I see it all, covet the ideas that might make for a better Wyandotte. Creativity and boldness make the world go round, not necessarily money. Localism is my middle name, anymore. feeding localism, doing my part to enable success for local places, passionate places, is fun and purposeful. Paying attention to governmental support that nurtures new and existing retail, sets the bar for successful, vibrant, electric towns. Towns that are strong enough to fight back against the homogenous nationalized faux retailers and restaurants are no accident. I pay attention to all the elements that come together to create a cool space that people feel drawn to, feel compelled to go where authenticity lives. Businesses that know they have to exceed people’s expectations, governments that grease the skids for those businesses and also act to make for coolness through way-finding, flowers, parking decks and so forth, and a community of people that know the real thing when they find it – and make darned sure they don’t go away or fail – all collaborate to make our local economy thrive and hum. Localism is the new black. Thanks for being on that page with me!
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Celebrating Earth Day
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Volunteers boat out to Celeron Island to help pick up litter and debris off the island’s beach areas during a previous FDR clean-up event.
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Day with an art exhibition at the Belle Isle Aquarium, local artists will be featured in the exhibition and the art will follow an environmental conservation theme. The exhibition will be made available to the public from April 22-24. Along with the art exhibition, the DRC will host seven cleanups on April 23. The DRC’s Canadian members will be hosting a cleanup on April 9 and a Tree Planting event on April 24. If you would like more information on DRC events, head to detroitrivercoalition.com. The Great Lakes CleanUP originally began as a cleanup partnership between many Riverkeepers across the Great Lakes region, spanning from Wisconsin to New York, but has since expanded to include other environmental organizations. To learn more about this partnership, head to greatlakescleanup. org
SOUTHGATE STAR • April 13 — May 12, 2022 • Page 9
CULINARY CAPERS For the third time this century, Good Friday, the Christian Evelyn commemoration Cairns of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, and Passover, the celebration of the emancipation of the Jewish people from slavery in ancient Egypt, will fall on the same date: April 15. If you’re wondering what to serve on Good Friday, you can start with the traditional favorite Hot Cross Buns. I’ve already made two batches of Mom’s Best and piped them with a frosting cross to represent the crucifixion. They are in my freezer waiting to be served with coffee or tea. Other Good Friday ideas are salmon patties, tuna salad, grilled fish, potato and corn chowder and macaroni and cheese, of course. The following recipe is from the Taste of Home website. MOM’S BEST HOT CROSS BUNS (Adapted) 1 package (1/4-ounce) active dry yeast 1 tablespoon plus ½ cup sugar, divided 1 cup warm milk (110 to 115 degrees) ¼ cup butter, softened 1/2 cup raisins 1 egg ¼ teaspoon salt, cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg 3 ½ to 3 ¾ cups all-purpose flour In a large bowl, dissolve yeast and 1 tablespoon sugar in the milk. Let stand 5 minutes. Add butter, raisins, egg, salt, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg and remaining sugar. Stir in enough flour to make a soft dough. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, 6 to 8 minutes. Cover and let rise until double, about 1 hour. Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface. Divide into 12 portions and shape each into a ball. Place in a greased 13x9-inch baking pan. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes. Bake at 350 degrees about 25 minutes or until browned. Remove to a wire rack to cool. Icing: 2/3 cup confectioners’ sugar 1 teaspoon softened butter ¼ teaspoon vanilla 2 to 3 teaspoons milk Combine the confectioners’ sugar, butter, vanilla and milk to achieve a
piping consistence, and pipe an “x” on each bun. Passover begins with a meal called the Seder at which matzos (unleavened bread) serve as a reminder of the hasty departure of the Jewish slaves from Egypt because there wasn’t time for their bread to rise. Other symbolic items at the Seder are a plate with a lamb shank bone, a roasted egg, bitter herbs, a green vegetable, sweet salad and salt water. Matzo is a main ingredient in countless Passover dishes and desserts, including the following delicious sweet, which I recently enjoyed making, eating and sharing with friends. CHOCOLATE TOFFEE MATZO CRACK 4 or 5 slightly salted matzos 2 sticks unsalted butter 1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar 12-ounce bag semisweet chocolate chips 1 heaping cup toasted chopped pecans ½ teaspoon sea salt Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with heavy duty aluminum foil and top with a sheet of parchment. Cover the baking sheet with the matzos, cutting and piecing to fit the pan. To make the toffee, combine the butter and brown sugar in a medium saucepan. Cook on medium heat, stirring constantly with a whisk until the mixture comes to a boil. (If it separates, keep stirring, as it will come together.) Once it boils, continue cooking and stirring another 3 minutes until foamy and thickened. Immediately pour the toffee over the matzos and spread into an even layer with a spatula. Place the pan in the oven and bake 8 to 10 minutes, or until the toffee is crackled and bubbling. Remove the pan to a cooling rack and scatter with the chocolate chips. When softened, spread chips into an even layer with the spatula and sprinkle with the pecans and salt. Refrigerate until firm, about 45 minutes, then cut into 2-inch squares. Serve cold. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer. (Contact me at Evycairns@aol.com.)
Springtime at Gabriel Richard By Leonard Fritz, GR Class of 2023
Gabriel Richard Catholic High School has been very busy over the past month. The National Honor Society held its induction ceremony for new members on Wednesday, March 16. Juniors took the SAT on Wednesday, March 23. The annual Strides for Adam 5k was on Sunday, March 27, and despite the cold weather generated a large turnout. The Gabriel Richard community is grateful for those who participated or volunteered at the Strides for Adam event. Spring sports have started in earnest, with several teams claiming early wins that bode well for the rest of their seasons. Boys lacrosse in particular has had several critical victories throughout the past month. Aside from athletics, the Gabriel Richard drama club held its spring show, Once Upon a Mattress, on the weekend of April 1-3. The shows were well attended and the musical was a hit amongst many who were there. The Honorable Judge Elizabeth L. DiSanto of the 27th District Court held proceedings within the school as part of the Court to School Program on Monday, April 4. This program is aimed toward increasing understanding of how the courts and government function, and help encourage civic participation amongst students. The students at Gabriel Richard are looking forward to Easter break which will be April 14-25. Prom is scheduled to be held on Friday, April 29. The end of the year is fast approaching, which means summer vacation will soon be in sight, but until then Gabriel Richard’s students will be keeping their nose to the grindstone in order to successfully finish the school year strong by passing final exams, AP exams, completing projects etc. Spring has sprung at GR!
Page 10 • April 13 — May 12, 2022 • SOUTHGATE STAR
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SOUTHGATE STAR • April 13 — May 12, 2022 • Page 15
Page 16 • April 13 — May 12, 2022 • SOUTHGATE STAR
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SOUTHGATE STAR • April 13 — May 12, 2022 • Page 17
After a two-year Covid absence, The Art Ambiance Show and Sale is back and we are ready to have a wonderful show! If you are an artist, you are invited to participate. Our fall show, “Fall Festival of the Arts” was a big success and we anticipate this to be our largest show ever! The Art Ambiance Show and Sale is April 29-May 1 and it highlights only the Downriver artists. This is a Juried Fine Art Show & Sale and a nonjuried Miniature Show and Sale. Last year there were more than 150 pieces of original artwork on display. Cash Awards are over $800. The Fine Art section will be juried by a qualified artist who resides outside the Downriver area. This art exhibit show and sale will be held at the beautiful Woodhaven Community Center 23101 Hall Road. There will be a lovely opening reception with light refreshments, entertainment and a short award ceremony. Each artist will be able to submit three fine art entries (160 “ in circumference or less) to be juried and five non-juried miniature pieces of art (24” in circumference or less). Artists 18 years and older, residing in one of the Downriver communities of Allen Park, Belleville, Brownstown Twp., Carleton, Ecorse, Flat Rock, Gibraltar, Grosse lle Twp., Huron Twp., Lincoln Park,
Melvindale, New Boston, River Rouge, Riverview, Rockwood, Romulus, Southgate, Sumpter Twp., Taylor, Trenton, Van Buren Twp., Woodhaven, and Wyandotte are eligible. The first-place prize is $300, second place is $200, third Place is $100 and Honorable Mention Awards receive $30. The Artists’ Choice Award is $100. The event begins April 29 with a reception from 6-9 p.m. On April 30 and May 1, art is exhibited from noon-5 p.m. each day and there are art demonstrations from
1-4 p.m. each day. Applications and payment methods can be found at the Downriver Arts & Crafts Guild /Creative Art Society Found at our new website creativeartsociety. org. Application fee is $35 for non-members and $25 for members in good standing standing Questions can be answered by Maureen Keast 734-777-6109 (mkeast1@aol.com), or Jackie Walock at 313-570-6919 (walock@sbcglobal.net).
St. James Rummage Sale slated for May 5-7 Ever since 1960, the ECW ladies group at St. James Church has staged a rummage sale that attracts scores of eager buyers from the Island and off-Island. The whole church, except the sanctuary, is converted to a sales area. People with usable discards bring them which are sorted into different rooms such as Christmas items, children’s clothes and toys, books, jewelry, household goods and lots of clothes racks. They even have specialty rooms for antiques and fine clothes such as the French Room. The rummage sale brings out volunteers from the men of the church who drive to pick up heavier items and work outside with furniture, bikes, suitcases and equipment. The ECW ladies are grateful that the whole church gets involved in setting up and cleaning up. They’re always amazed that the Sunday after the Saturday sales, the church is once more back to normal. Although most of the items are reasonably priced, there’s a real deal the last day when you can walk out with everything you can pack in a brown grocery bag for only $2. Those with items to donate should drop them off at the church beginning April 18. Heading this May’s rummage sale are Alice Carrington and Blanche Hutchison with a lot of
The ECW Lades Group of St. James Church help from seasoned rummage sale ladies like Joan Hemsworth and Melva Bonis, president of the ECW.. Proceeds from the sale go to a shelter for kids in Honduras, First Step for abused women and children, Jerusalem Peacekeepers, Capuchin Soup Kitchen,
Cass Community Social Services, and some Episcopal agencies needing funding. After a meeting with the ECW ladies, their final comment was that the rummage sale: “Is a lot of fun and a lot of work!”
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Artists sought for Art Ambiance Show and Sale
Page 18 • April 13 — May 12, 2022 • SOUTHGATE STAR
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Estate Planning 101 Which plan do you need?
Time to clear up the confusion about Estate Planning ... The following definitions lack legal precision, but makes it easier to get a clear picture of what may be needed in your case. ■ Will – letter of intent of where you want your personal property to go – or not go. ■ Living Will – Documents your wishes during your final days including final healthcare choices and possibly your burial wishes. ■ Trust – This is a “company” that you start, and you become the CEO, “Trustee” and “Settlor.” The company outlives you, but continues to manage your assets as if you were alive by the successor CEO – whom you designate. ■ Power of Attorney – Financial and Healthcare – you need both – the first so someone can pay your bills, the second, sometimes called a Patient Advocate, designates someone to make “hallway at the hospital” decisions to take the stress off the family. ■ Ladybird Deed – probably the best thing that has happened to owning a home. I love these deeds – you grant yourself a life estate – in your own property - but retain the power to sell or borrow against the property. If you do not sell before you pass, this “springs” the house out of your estate, and your heirs have instant ownership, subject to any mortgage or taxes owed or similar. Again, this is just a general description of the more popular terms – no one choice is a “silver bullet” but depending on how your estate gets planned out you can expedite a clean and clear process for the assets you worked a lifetime to save. Why wouldn’t you want to do that? Stop by or call and make an appointment and I’ll tell you what you’re going to need to do this right. To my numerous former clients – thank you for allowing me to draft your estate plan!
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What’s happening Southgate ... Calling classic car lovers The Roamin’ Chariots Friday night charity cruises will begin for the 25th year starting April 29 from 4:408 p.m. The classic car cruises are held in front of the CubeSmart Self Storage business, 13333 Eureka Rd. The cruises run on Friday evenings through Sept. 30. There will be prizes and specials and a portion of the proceeds will go to charity. Junior football Registration for Southgate Vikings junior football and cheerleading will be held May 3-4 from 6-8 p.n. At the equipment shed at Homer Howard Park. The cheer and footbalprogramse are open to youngsters between the ages of 5 and 13. At the time of registration you will need the child’s birth certificate (original and a copy), your ID (original and a copy) and three required registration forms that can be found at Southgatevikings.com. The cost is $150 and $85 per additional child. Fore! Southwinds golf course in Southgate is open for the season. Weekday rates are $16 for 18 holes and $12 for nine holes. Weekend rates are $22 for 18 and $16 for nine. Golf carts are $10 and $7 and you can rent a pull cart for $2. Residents receive a $2 dollar discount and seniors get a $2 discount on weekdays. Share your passion Have you got a hobby, talent or passion? The Southgate Recreation Department would like to help you share it. The recreation Department is looking for gardeners, crafters, fitness instructors, chefs, nutritionists, musicians and others to act as instructors in classes. The Red Department is willing to work within your schedule to make a class happen. For more information, call 734-258-3035. Easter Egg Scramble Hippity, hoppity Easter’s on its way! Hop on over to Lake Erie Metropark on April 16 for an egg hunt. Enjoy crafts, games and more during this festive spring program for the kids. The first scramble begins at 10 a.m.and there is another at 1 p.m. The cost is just $4 per child and kids under the age of 2 are free. Pre-registration is required by 4 p.m. the day before the program. You can call the interpretive center at 734-379-5020. Free Shred Day At Genthe Honda, 15100 Eureka Rd, Southgate from 9:30 a.m. to noon. On Saturday, May 7. Permissible Items Include standard office paper, computer print-outs, credit card receipts, envelopes,
binders, photocopies, photographs, checks. NOT Permissible Items Include books, magazines, x-ray films, computers and accessories. Limit 5 boxes. For more information, call Fran Waszkiewicz 734- 7857705 x7153
The Creative Art Society Meeting: Tuesday April 12 at 6:30 p.m. at the Southgate Veterans Memorial Library, 14680 Dix-Toledo Hwy. Southgate. Guest will be John Vassallo. The focus of his work is primarily subjects dealing with Michigan Great Lake scenes. Free and open to the public. CAS offers memberships for $25, which includes art classes and demonstrations. For more information, contract Maureen at 734-777-6109 or mkeast1@aol.com or Jackie at 313-570-6919 or walock@sbcglobal.net Earth Day Celebration Sponsored by the Grosse Ile Nature & Land Conservancy from 1-5 p.m. on Saturday, April 23 at St. James Episcopal Church 25150 E River Rd, Grosse Ile. Join GINLC and the St James Green Team for an Earth Day Celebration. We plan activities for the whole family involving animals, birdhouse painting, and seed planting. Learn about coyotes, relocating trees, Plastics in Our Environment, and stewarding your backyard by attending the expert presentations. Browse the informative exhibits covering healthy lawns, gardens, butterflies, photo contest, and local GI groups. Activities for all. For more information, email info@ ginlc.org for more information or visit www.ginlc.org. Take it Outside (2021-2022): High School Nature & Wildlife Photo Contest hosted by Grosse Ile Nature and Land Conservancy. Deadline Thursday, May 5, 2022. Open to all high school students. Our all-digital Take It Outside Photo Contest has begun. High School students may enter up to 3 photos, one in each category. All information will be updated on our website soon. It’s free, it’s easy and who doesn’t love capturing a gorgeous photo while enjoying the outdoors? All area High Schools are invited to participate. If you are a teacher and would like more information and a poster for your classroom, send us a message. We’d love to share the opportunity with your students. Enter at www.ginlc.org. Sponsors Needed: American Association of University Women (AAUW) Downriver Group Looking for STEMrelated professionals and sponsors for Spring 2022 STEM SAVVY Symposium, Thursday, May 12, 2022 at the Wayne County Community College Downriver campus on Northline Road in Taylor. The event will host 125 girls from the 19 Downriver middle schools for a day of STEM inspired seminars and activities. The event has been canceled the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The girls come for a day of immersion in STEM related activities presented by
inspirational women speakers. The event is presented without cost to the girls, with all expenses covered through the AAUW organization, individual donations and sponsorships from Downriver merchants and companies. Those interested in sponsorship opportunities contact President Barbara Duran at barbduranaauw@gmail. com. Those interested in being a speaker or helping with the event contact STEM Committee Chairs Jackie Hector, jahector@wyan.org, or Andrea Witkowski, andrea1085@aol.com AAUW scholarships: The AAUW Wyandotte-Downriver Branch offers several scholarships annually to female undergraduate students at Baker College, Henry Ford College, Lawrence Technological University and Wayne County Community College District. Interested students can pick up an AAUW application at their school’s counseling office. Candidates must have earned a minimum of 12 credits, be a United States citizen and a resident of the Downriver area. An essay is required. For more information, contact rjhart720@yahoo.com or visit downriver-mi.aauw.net. Birds in Your Binoculars Birds are everywhere! Join us as we head out into Lake Erie Metropark looking for our feathered friends to discover which species are residents, which are just here for a few months, and which ones are just passing through. We may do some hiking or a car caravan through the park. Be prepared for either or both! Please bring binoculars or you can use a pair of ours. You can attend the 10 a.m. until noon program or the one that runs from 2-4 p.m. This is for bird watchers aged 8 and up. The cost is $3 per child and $5 per adult. Meet at the Lake Erie Metropark, Marshlands Museum. Pre-registration is required by 4 p.m. the day before the program. Visit the Huron-Clinton Metroparks website or you can call the interpretive center at 734-379-5020 Job Assistance The SEMCA Michigan Works! in Southgate, 15100 Northline Rd, Room 103, is offering help with job searching. Free services may include career assessment and guidance; GED preparation, basic skills assessment & enhancement; resume and interview assistance; and job search assistance. Stop in to register and ask about the next orientation session. Connect with a Career Coach and return to work faster. Reasonable accommodations will be made upon request. For more information, call 734-362-3448 or visit SEMCA.org.
Have an Event or Fundraiser? Let us know at 734-282-3939
SOUTHGATE STAR • April 13 — May 12, 2022 • Page 19
Page 20 • April 13 — May 12, 2022 • SOUTHGATE STAR
Have an Event or Fundraiser? Let us know at 734-282-3939
COMMUNITY CORNER with Sherry Halko
It’s Spring Cleaning Time Again! Clean out that old paperwork and help support Southgate Rotary with their Happy Feet Kid shoe program and help fill the local community food banks. Curious about Rotary Club of Southgate? The members are men and women who take an active role serving the community and raising money to fund a wide range of causes from scholarships to ending Polio forever. They are dedicated to building relationships, lives and making the world a better place. Visionaries that together we see a world where people unite to take action to create lasting change. “Across the Globe. In our Communities. And in Ourselves.” Join Rotary today by contacting Steve Ahles at chiefahles@aol.com Check out the ad below regarding the specifics of Shred Day!
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See your pet in print
Do you have a pretty pooch? A cutie cat? A lovely lizard? Would you like to see your pet’s photo published in an upcoming edition of the Grosse Ile Grand? We can make it happen. Just send a photo of your pet, along with your name, the pet’s name and the community in which you live to Sherry@ gobigmultimedia.com and we will take care of the rest.
SOUTHGATE STAR • April 13 — May 12, 2022 • Page 21
Ada Takacs
DNR Forest Resources Division Volunteer Coordinator
Many Michiganders believe spring officially arrives once the robins or red-winged blackbirds return, or the sap flows and buckets show up on maple trees. Few folks ever think about the other creatures who come out of their winter slumber long before the trilliums begin to bloom, and morels make an appearance. The creatures I’m talking about are volunteers. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has close to 1,400 employees year-round and hires an additional 1,600 seasonally. These employees work hard to conserve and protect Michigan’s natural and cultural resources for not only today’s enjoyment, but for future generations. Most recreationists are unaware of the 5,000-plus volunteers who work in tandem every year with these DNR employees protecting our resources. Volunteers are unpaid and driven by their connection to the natural environment. They are some of Michigan’s most dedicated members of the “workforce.” Shining stars For example, who brings snowshoes to a river cleanup? Now nearing retirement, I have worked for a long time as the volunteer coordinator for DNR’s Forest Resources Division. Twenty years ago, I was flipping through project photos when I saw something that surprised me. A volunteer named Jim Heffner from Grand Traverse County had donned snowshoes to walk across a mucky portion of the river to clean up cans and scattered debris. That was the day I realized the power and perseverance of our volunteers. DNR volunteers are innovative. Jim had the foresight to bring snowshoes on a kayak trip because he had to pass up beer cans that were in deep muck during the prior year’s cleanup. He and many others were volunteering with the award-winning Boardman River Clean Sweep group
A group of girls transporting flood debris gathered from the Boardman River during one of the volunteer garbage cleanups. Individuals and groups from every walk of life – from Cub Scouts to motorsport and hunt clubs – have heartfelt connections to the land and show their dedication by giving back. They build, install and maintain bird nesting platforms, clear brush from trails and plant trees. They collect native seeds for planting and work hard to help eradicate invasive species. These volunteers not only obligate themselves, but drag along their entire boot-wearing, glove-donning sets of friends and family members with pickup trucks and trailers. Young volunteers help the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Michigan United Conservation Corps plant trees to improve habitat in Marquette County. led by Norm Fred. Almost anyone in the Grand Traverse Region is familiar with Norm’s work, including his thousands of hours floating and cleaning the rivers, as well as running a program that pays homeless people to help remove trash illegally dumped on public lands.
Fred has volunteered for DNR programs for more than two decades. When asked why he started to volunteer his response was not surprising. “When fishing on the Boardman one day, I thought I reached the end, but I found my beginning,” he said.
Educators and watchdogs DNR volunteers are not just bootson-the-ground, but also an army of educators and eyes in the field. Volunteer recreational safety instructors teach our children how to operate boats and snowmobiles, as well as how to hunt safely. Year after year these volunteers play an integral role in passing down land and conservation ethics to future SEE STEPPING, PAGE 22
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DNR volunteers: Stepping up to the plate
Page 22 • April 13 — May 12, 2022 • SOUTHGATE STAR
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A volunteer Michigan state park campground host entertains a couple of young visitors.
STEPPING
Continued from page 21 generations. Volunteers are committed for every season. While some work during the winter months to keep the trails groomed for skiing and snowmobiling, the activity really picks up once the snow clears. Volunteer activities continue in the spring with volunteers who move through the woods listening for the songs of male Kirtland’s warblers defending their nesting territories. These bird counts, done every five years, help monitor the successful recovery of one of Michigan’s most iconic wildlife species. Other volunteers sit near ponds to track frog and toad populations as they emerge after winter’s snows retreat. Come summer, volunteers are out protecting piping plover nests and educating visitors about these once near-extinct birds. Autumn brings the popular harvest festivals at state parks, which would not happen without our high-energy volunteers. State park and rustic state forest campground volunteer hosts dedicate a minimum of four weeks a year to live on-site at DNR campgrounds. In exchange for a spot at the campsite, they greet customers, conduct light maintenance, host coffee hours and children’s activities and help direct traffic during busy weekends. When filling out park surveys, it is not uncommon for park visitors to write about wanting to return and spend time with these annual volunteers. Harbors and lighthouses also have host programs. Not surprisingly, these dedicated DNR volunteers become friends with
land managers and work side by side to care for the land and water. Volunteers are most effective at enlisting others and correcting misconceptions about why laws are in place. DNR volunteer coordinators often wake up to an email or voicemail about trees that have blown over a trail or a new trash site that has popped up in the forest. It seems that volunteers never sleep. Even further Often volunteer groups take the extra step to fund and initiate improvements to public lands. Michigan’s off-road vehicle, snowmobile and non motorized trails programs are composed of over 100 grant sponsors, nonprofit organizations and friends groups that volunteer their time clearing, grading, grooming, mowing, writing grants and managing construction projects approved by the DNR. The next time you are recreating in the forest, visiting a state park, boating or fishing, take the time to look around and consider the impact volunteers have had on your experience. Michelle O’Kelly, volunteer coordinator for the DNR Parks and Recreation Division, said she realizes that increased gas prices this year will put an additional burden on our volunteers. History shows that most are so committed that they will find a way to continue the work. “If all of us would take the time to do something within a 5-mile radius of where we live and work, we can accomplish great things,” she said. Want to become part of the team? Check out volunteer opportunities at Michigan.gov/DNRVolunteers
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The Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge is open seven days a week! The time has finally come! Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge’s grounds are now open seven days a week during daylight hours. Though The John D. Dingell Jr. Visitor Center remains closed; the grounds around the building are open for self-guided visitation. What does this mean for our visitors? It means you can now enjoy hiking, fishing, biking, wildlife observation, photography, and more at your local refuge any day of the week from sunup to sundown. Come early in the morning and experience nature waking up as the birds begin to sing and the morning sun shines on the Detroit River. Or visit later in the day with your family, friends, or pets and hike the three miles of trails in the Humbug Marsh Unit. This unit has beautiful trails along the Detroit River that are filled with amazing wildlife to observe. Now that it is Spring; visitors will soon be able to see the return of many songbirds as they fly into Michigan after a long migration. The Humbug Marsh Unit also has accommodations like an observation deck, interpretive signs, and a human-size model of an eagle’s nest. Visitors can also explore the refuge by completing missions on the free Agents of Discovery app. There are so many things to come out and discover at the refuge; come visit us at 5437 West Jefferson Ave., Trenton, MI 48183 or check out our website and Facebook page!
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SOUTHGATE STAR • April 13 — May 12, 2022 • Page 23
Page 24 • April 13 — May 12, 2022 • SOUTHGATE STAR
Have an Event or Fundraiser? Let us know at 734-282-3939
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